# medallist

/mˈɛdɐlˌɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/medallist
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a person who wins a medal in a competition, especially in sports like the Olympics.

For teachers: a person who has been awarded a medal, typically for achieving a top-three position in a sporting competition or for distinguished service.

## Examples

- The gold medallist stood proudly on the podium.
- After years of intense training, she finally became an Olympic medallist in the high jump.
- The university invited several former Olympic medallists to speak at the commencement ceremony, hoping their stories of perseverance would inspire the graduating class.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modified by the type of medal won, such as 'gold', 'silver', or 'bronze'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.